The waist-to-hip ratio is a quick, easy method to estimate body composition and describe body proportions. It is a common measure that reflects the degree of abdominal obesity a person exhibits.
Use a measuring tape to measure your waist (at the smaller circumference of your natural waist, usually just above the belly button) and the circumference of your hips (at the widest part of your buttocks). Enter your measurements below:
Use the chart below to interpret your result.
Since storing excessive fat in the abdominal region (known as the "apple" shape) is correlated with an increased disease risk, this test is one way to measure your risk for lifestyle and weight-related diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and more. Storing fat in your lower half, known as a "Pear" shape, is actually a healthier site for fat accumulation. The less common "avocado" shape is somewhere between an apple and a pear, with health risks higher than a pear-shaped person, but somewhat lower than a true apple-shaped person. Click here to learn more about your results.